14 March 2008

Years ago my daughter started out in Brownies and then moved on to Girl Guides. I was even a Girl Guide leader myself for a number of years and enjoyed the label of being the resident authority on native plants, etc. I loved our annual hike along the Kettle Valley Railway and when our girls were older the white water rafting trips as well. What I enjoyed the most was when we went on our camping weekends and we could plan menus, shop for groceries with the girls and teach them new culinary skills. I was a foodie even then and didn't even know the term. Now my idea of camping was in a cabin and not tenting it, so eventually as the girls became older my days became numbered. Those days are long gone but "thanks for the memories". I don't know how my daughter felt about her mom being a leader, but I sure enjoyed those times we had together.The thing I enjoyed the least about being a leader was being involved in the annual cookie sales. I know, I know, this is a huge fundraiser for the girls, but it didn't make it any less painless. Here in Canada they always sold a vanilla and chocolate combo, sort of like an oreo. Half of the box was vanilla and half was chocolate. In more recent years they have two campaigns where they sell Thin Mint Cookies at a separate time of the year as well.

Blogging has taught me that in the States they sell an abundance of different types of cookies for the Girl Scout troups. We are cookie deprived here in Canada!!!!!!!

Thin Mints, Do-si-Dos, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Samoas, Thanks-a-Lot, Lemonades, Cinna-spins and Sugar Free Chocolate Chip....Now if we had such an abundance of cookies here I may have actually enjoyed the door to door campaign...maybe not, but, it would have made it more interesting.

Susan from Sticky, Gooey, Creamy Chewy heard my plight and generously sent along a box of Samoas to the "Great White North". What inspired me was a dessert she had made from the coconut Samoa. It just looked and sounded divine, dripping with caramel and creamy, sticky, gooey goodness. Susan original post for this incredible dessert can be found here . When the box arrived by FedEx I just had to try one. I thought, "If I try just one..I can still make the dessert with the rest of the cookies....then....maybe just another and I will still be able to make a smaller version of the dessert if I half the recipe." Well....best intentions aside I have 3 cookies left for my daughter to try when she comes home for Easter from university.....MAYBE. I hope Susan doesn't mind me posting a photo of her dessert here for a glimpse of its incredibleness....since I didn't get to try it myself.

*********************Process the cookies into crumbs in the food processor. If you don't have a food processor, put them in a plastic zipper bag and beat the hell out of them until they turn into crumbs. Mix the crumbs with the butter in a bowl. Press the crumbs into a 9 or 10 inch tart pan, preferably one with a removable bottom. Chill for at least 30 minutes.In another bowl, combine the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar and dulce de leche. Beat on medium speed until well-blended, about 2 minutes. Pour filling into tart shell and chill for at least 2 hours.Meanwhile, toast the coconut by heating it in a small skillet over medium to medium-high heat, tossing it often so it doesn't burn. When the coconut is golden brown remove from heat and set aside to cool.When tart is thoroughly chilled, spread the remaining cup of dulce de leche over the filling, gently spreading it to cover. Be careful not to mush the filling. Spread the toasted coconut over the dulce de leche and drizzle with the melted chocolate.Hang on to your socks while eating, so as not to knock them off!

It takes a lot of will power to not buy those things in bulk every week now...the girls are hawking them at the exit to the grocery store and those cookies must be laced with something because just wow...

So first off, to be deprived of that up north? That just isn't right! I'm glad you got to try it though, because secondly, that dessert looks *amazing*!

I am a thin mints girl myself! my mom was our girl scout leader so our freezer always ended up packed with leftover boxes after the sale had ended.....I can't bring myself to buy them now becuase they are so expensive!! (for a poor college student, that is). Thanks for stopping by my blog...best wishes to your daughter in her studies- Dietetics is a great field.

I'd never be able to choose with so many choices Mary...deciciveness is not one of my qualities.Doesn't the dessert just look amazing Mike. You can probably try it since you have acess to the cookies. I am still searching for something similar up here. Perhaps I could use a candy bar?I enjoyed my visit to your blog Mary:D

Neighborhood girls rang my doorbell with a list of all the different cookies we can choose from, they take our order, and then deliver them right to our door! How easy is that! I'm sorry you were deprived,I'd be happy to send you some too when you get a craving! :-)

I've been wanting to try this too. It just looks so delicious and decadent!! I just bought some of these today... the girl scouts hang out outside the grocery store and attack you as you exit. I'm a sucker.

OMG Val (i've yet to read this entry) I just saw the photo of girl scout cookies and that was enough for me. Please tell me there is a way I can order girl scout cookies from the states! I used to be a girls scout (proud) and I adore these cookies in particular, as well as the mint ones.

Thanks Marie, I'll keep it in mind:D I loved this recipe too Recipe Girl...buy as many Samoas as you can and support the Girl Scouts and make it!!!!Pixie, you can find a nice American friend who would be willing to get them for you and then ship them:D

I missed my calling. When I was young I wanted to work for Canadian Living Magazine Peter:D,,,now I work in a Dr's office, but I am always looking and searching for something that would be viable on the foodie end of things:D

That is so funny. I am always telling my girlfriends that have little ones in Girl Scouts about the lack of cookie varieties we had in Canada. I would really love one of those white cookies right now though. Isn't it funny what you want when you can't get it?

I'm sure I could have a little enterprise going here in Canada selling Girl Scout cookies; but then that would take money away from our own little Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guides...we just have to get more variety:D

Just finished off my last box of Trefoils myself! Some of the cookies I just have to refuse to purchase or else I would eat the whole box in one sitting, such as Thin Mints! Glad I do not have the Samoas!Hope you have a great "Springy" weekend Valli!

I saw this awesome creation on SGCC and was wishing they sold those biccies in the UK!Me thinks you are going to have to take those remaining 3 cookies down to the bank and have them stashed away in the vault!

We always overbuy with my husband ordering and then me ordering, so I just pop the boxes in the freezer. It is a great treat when we are camping in the summer to pull out a box of girl scout cookies. That is an incredible looking dessert!

I have never been a fan of girl scout cookies. But, yikes! that is one fabulously gooey, sticky, sinful dessert! Thanks for sharing it and thanks to Susan too! I'll have to stop at the girl scout table at the market today. Looks like I'll be making a purchase after seeing this post.

Val,See? I've never heard of so many of the cookies you spoke about. We have Girl Guides here in Malaysia too, but I don't think they have cookie sales! That dessert looks just fabulous and as usual, I learn something again from your blog!

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My blog More Than Burnt Toast has been my passion for almost 9 years and has evolved with me over time as I have gained confidence in the kitchen. Follow my travels through Italy and Greece one recipe at a time, upcoming cooking classes at local Okanagan wineries and restaurants, as well as daily experimentation in my own kitchen. Every day we should be excited about what we are eating even if it just means making use of a wonderful find at our local farmers market. I look forward to getting to know you.